When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Internationally regarded for their exceptional ability to produce some of the finest looking urban lifestyle-based folding bikes, Retrospec has been producing some of the most well-known folding bicycles for many years.
Formulated in Los Angeles in 2008, the company has grown from strength to strength and today we will be providing you with a review of the Retrospec Speck SS.
One initial comment we have to make is that Retrospec’s company philosophy is to produce quality bicycles for an affordable price.
They state that each of the components used in these bicycles has been produced to the highest standards and they belong to some of the biggest names within the industry too, not simply shipped in from China for a cheap price.
Their bicycles are particularly well-tailored and one thing you will notice about them is the pristine finish they are afforded.
RETROSPEC SPECK SS
Our Rating
PROS
- Quickly folds away (less than 20 seconds)
- Minimal and STUNNING design
- Comfortable ride
- Adjustable handlebar
- Specially designed commuter tires
CONS
- Cheap and flimsy materials
- Easily damaged pedals
- Single speed may not suit everyone
- The locking mechanism can get stuck
OUR VERDICT
“For an entry-level folding bike, the Retrospec Speck SS performs as expected. It doesn’t exceed in any department and may break relatively easily, but it functions well in most situations.”
Retrospec Folding Bike Review
”For the money, the Retrospec Speck SS is a good bike, however, it might be advisable to invest a little extra for a more premium-built folding bike”
Now, onto the Retrospec Speck SS folding bike. This folding bicycle has been designed to be extremely minimalist without too many extra features. This is the first thing that stood out to me about the bike, it provides exactly what you require but little more.
Many people stand by this philosophy and will simply choose the bike that is the most cheaply priced, so long as it functions as it should.
Most folding bike enthusiasts may shy away from this, believing that it is simply a poorly made bike. However, let me immediately crush that statement, it really isn’t.
The Retrospec Speck is a well-built, entry-level bike, my initial thoughts were that it would be perfect for typical city dwellers.
Firstly, the bike is relatively lightweight at 22lbs, making it very easy to carry around with you wherever you need to go. It only possesses a single gear, so when you need to brake you must simply pedal backward.
Believe me, this sounds more daunting than it actually is, this method of braking is actually highly functional and works perfectly in all scenarios.
Folding Mechanism
Yes, it does only have a single speed, however, don’t let this put you off completely. The bike is more than capable of reaching high speeds on flats and slopes.
While it might not have the same capacity to fly up steep hills as a geared bike, it isn’t too much of an issue. I would personally prefer to go for a geared bike, for this reason, however, the Retrospec Speck SS is still good for the money in this regard.
The bike can be folded away in under 20 seconds, while this is not the quickest we have seen, it is by no means slow.
One of the biggest issues I found with the bike actually goes against what Retrospec state about this folding bike. The components seemed to be quite poorly made and flimsy, I wouldn’t say that they were anywhere near the standards of some of the more expensive folding bikes that I have tried.
I would be concerned that the Speck SS could break with prolonged use and that it would last a fraction of the time as say a Dahon or other top-end folding bicycle.
No products found.
Specifications
- Folded Size: 10.5″ x 29.5″ x 21.5″
- Weight: 22.5lbs (10kg)
- Speeds / Gears: 1
- Wheel Size: 20″
- Brakes: XB-T8
- Max Rider Weight: 200lbs (91kg)
Concluding Remarks
To conclude, I believe the Retrospec Speck SS is a good entry-level folding bicycle, it looks quite cool and modern.
However, there are some serious downfalls of this bike, mainly regarding the build quality itself.
It isn’t made out of the finest materials and I believe that for this reason a slightly more expensive model from a different manufacturer would be preferred.
Its lack of gears means that climbing hills could be quite difficult, however, this isn’t a reason to not choose the bike in itself.
I personally regard the Dahon Speed Uno as a better upgrade of this bike and think that it would be worthwhile spending a little extra for its features and additional build quality.
Mark Plummer
Mark Plummer is an experienced bike mechanic who has built, repaired, and customized thousands of bikes over the years. A former mountain biking athlete, his cycling adventures have taken him all over the globe from the mountains of Scotland to the South Island of New Zealand. These days he enjoys the benefits of commuting to work and touring on his Dahon and Brompton folding bikes.This free cheat sheet will help you choose a folding bike by providing quick information on the 7 key considerations when buying a foldable bicycle!
